Question
Hi ,I live in the northwest part of Oregon and I want to grow some bell peppers in 5 gallon containers on my south facing deck can you tell me about what I need for soil mix as I will prepare my own soil to your specs, also I want to start from seed under lights and then move to outside. This is my first attempt at growing anything so all help will be appreciated Thanks

Answer
David:

You can buy any kind of potting soil for your peppers, which may be more economical if you are just filling a few pots. If you want to make your own you can mix equal parts loam, compost and sand (coarse). Add some bone meal for good root and fruit production.

You can use the same mix for starting your seeds. Fill 2" pot, yogurt container (punch holes for drainage), peat pot or whatever you want to start them in with damp potting mix and then water thoroughly. Put 1-2 seeds in each pot, about 1/2" deep. Place a plastic bag over the tops of the plants and check daily, misting the surface if necessary to keep it damp. As soon as the seedlings emerge, remove the plastic and place under the lights. Keep the lights about 4" from the surface of the pots, moving the light up as the plant grows. About 3-4 days or so before you are ready to plant out (when the weather is warm, nights above 50 degrees), harden the plants off by placing them in the sun for increasingly longer periods - starting with just a couple of hours. They can stay outside in the shade, but bring them in at night for the first couple of nights. I always like to put my plants out overnight wherever they will be planted for at least one night before transplanting.

Once they are in their pots, be sure to keep them watered. Peppers don't need as much water as tomatoes or other plants, but in pots they are much more subject to drying out completely. Enjoy!

Elyse